“Butt plants” are a unique group of succulents known scientifically as Lithops. This name comes from the ancient Greek words “lithos” (stone) and “opsis” (face), accurately describing their stone-like appearance. These plants are native to the arid regions of southern Africa, including Namibia, South Africa, and parts of Botswana, where they blend seamlessly with their rocky surroundings. Their distinctive form and camouflage make them a popular choice for indoor cultivation.
What Are Lithops?
Lithops are small, ground-hugging succulents, typically growing no more than an inch above the soil surface. Each plant usually consists of one or more pairs of thick, fleshy leaves that are fused together. A defining characteristic is the fissure or cleft separating the two leaves, from which new leaves and flowers emerge. This structure gives them their informal common name, as their appearance often resembles a pair of cleft stones or human buttocks.
These plants have a minimal stem, with their primary structure being two bulbous leaves extending downwards into a taproot. The leaves are water-storing organs, allowing Lithops to endure prolonged drought in their native arid habitats. Their ability to store water within their thick leaves is a significant adaptation to their harsh environment.
Unique Features and Adaptations
One striking adaptation of Lithops is their camouflage, which helps them avoid being eaten by herbivores. Their leaf patterns and colors mimic surrounding stones, varying in shades of cream, grey, brown, red, olive, or orange, depending on the species and local conditions. This stone-like appearance makes them difficult to spot in their natural habitat.
Another feature is their “window” leaves, which are translucent on their top surface. This allows sunlight to penetrate the interior of the leaves, where photosynthetic tissues are located, maximizing light absorption while minimizing exposure to the intense sun and reducing water loss. The green, chlorophyll-containing tissue lines the inside of the leaves, covered by these translucent windows. This ingenious design enables photosynthesis to occur deep within the plant, protected from the harsh desert environment.
Lithops exhibit a distinct growth cycle where new leaves develop inside the existing ones, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the old pair. The old leaves shrivel and dry as the new pair matures, leaving a papery shell. This process recycles resources for the next growth phase.
Identifying Different Types
The genus Lithops comprises about 37 recognized species, with numerous varieties and cultivars. Identification relies on observing specific markings on the top surface of the leaves, such as networks of veins, speckles, dots, islands, or channels. The overall body shape, fissure depth, and presence or absence of specific patterns also aid in distinguishing species.
For example, Lithops aucampiae often exhibits rusty brown to dark brown patterns, while Lithops karasmontana can range from brownish-red to bright red. Some species, like Lithops divergens, have large, mottled windows and can appear in pink, whitish-green, or grayish-brown hues.
Care and Cultivation
Lithops are relatively easy to grow indoors, provided their environmental needs are met. They require ample sunlight, ideally 4-5 hours of early sunlight with partial afternoon shade, to prevent elongation and pattern loss. A south or east-facing window is often suitable for indoor cultivation.
Watering is a key aspect of Lithops care, as overwatering is a frequent cause of plant failure. These succulents store water in their leaves and have distinct dormant and growth periods when watering should be adjusted or withheld entirely. Typically, they are watered sparingly during their active growing seasons in late spring and autumn, and kept completely dry during their summer and winter dormancy. They thrive in well-draining, sandy soil, such as a cactus mix with added grit, to prevent root rot.